A top-tier club cricket match was abandoned due to an allegedly dangerous pitch on Saturday.
With second-bottom Sevenoaks Vine having won the toss and elected to field at Tunbridge Wells, the hosts were 189-6 – opener Viraj Bhatia leading the charge with 44 despite wickets for Tom Richards (2-28) and former Kent man George Garrett (2-50) – when play was stopped on another warm afternoon in the 42nd over.
George Garrett – had taken two wickets for Sevenoaks Vine before their weekend Kent League Premier Division fixture at Tunbridge Wells was abandoned due to an allegedly dangerous pitch. Picture: Barry Goodwin
As it stands, both sides have been awarded nine points from the fixture.
Sevenoaks Vine posted on social media: “2s win at home, 3s win at home [and 1sts] is abandoned… not a usual statement.”
Leaders St Lawrence & Highland Court were nine-wicket home winners against Bexley.
Oliver Smith (23) top scored as Bexley were bowled out for 135 in the 37th over, with John Grewar (3-25) shining for St Lawrence.
Opener Dan Stickels’ run-a-ball 72 not out helped to make light work of the St Lawrence run-chase.
James Thompson – his excellent 148 helped guide Minster to a five-wicket home win over Bromley. Picture: Keith Gillard
Second-placed Hayes remain just two points behind them, however, having hammered basement boys Lordswood by 111 runs.
Aaron Burrage’s unbeaten 100 inspired them to 230-7 while home captain Calum MacLeod (3-29) claimed scalps.
In reply, Scott Gallagher’s excellent figures of 5-20 left the efforts of MacLeod (34) in vain as Lordswood were dismissed after 33 overs despite an encouraging 62-run opening stand.
Another five points further back are third-placed Blackheath, who edged to a 25-run triumph over Whitstable to end a three-match winning league streak.
Matthew Golding – despite being run-out for 99 – helped Blackheath to 246 all out as Cameron Wilshaw (3-25) got among the wickets.
Lordswood captain Calum MacLeod – his efforts with both bat and ball proved in vain as his team, bottom of the pile, were beaten again at home to second-placed Hayes. Picture: Allen Hollands
The father-and-son partnership of Jaydn Denly (77) and skipper Sam Denly (61) again combined nicely but the hosts were dismissed inside the 47th over. Ex-Kent bowler Arafat Bhuiyan (3-39) best with the ball.
Minster were five-wicket home winners against Bromley in a high-scoring affair.
Wicketkeeper Agastya Tripathi’s 61 guided Bromley to 276 all out, Enamul Haque Jr (4-35) best with the ball.
Opener James Thompson’s 148 off 91 balls, a knock that included 16 fours and some 11 maximums, led a successful Minster reply as he put on a 121-run stand with Ben Chapelhow (55).
That left the efforts of Marcus Lilley (3-55) in vain.